Programme

The aim of the programme is to enable each of the participants to discover more about themselves through interacting with other highly talented female academics in a challenging but pleasant environment and build their networks.

Key topics of the programme are: leadership, effective communicating, leveraging your networks, negotiations and power and influence. During the programme participants will explore best practices, share insights, learn about the latest research, compare experiences, and discuss their ideas and challenges with each other.

Since the programme is highly practical, participants can put what they have learned into practice immediately. Personal coaches will also be available to help participants apply and embed their learning.

During the programme guest speakers from within Erasmus University board level will be invited to share ideas and get into discussion with the participants.

Speed meetings with female Erasmus Professors will be an important part of the programme to broaden the participant’s network.

A global overview of the sessions

This core course and subsequent workshops will prepare the participants for their next career step by acquiring new knowledge, engaging voice, taking ownership, developing and understanding their network and gaining confidence in being present. This will take place in a group as well as individual setting.

Communication with Power and Impact

Impact and influence in communication are achieved when the intentions of a speaker, direct and indirect, are in alignment with both the understanding and the perception of the listener. Effective leaders are equipped with a range of communication skills to meet a variety of situations and contexts, and adapt their physical presence, their vocal quality, and the structure of their verbal message to the listener and the context in order to reach the goal of their communication.

Reaching your Aspirations

During this session, participants will reflect on their personal aspirations using the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology. The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology is an innovative process designed to enhance innovation, interaction, and performance. It entices each participant to build, share and reflect on their personal goals and professional challenges, allowing them to share their dreams and experiences.

Harnessing Emotions at Work

Emotions are still seen as a bad word in organisations, and being emotional a characteristic of women that we’d rather not see in the office. The reality is that both men and women have emotions, and it is the behaviors associated with emotions that can be unproductive, destructive and a hindrance to performance to relationships and to women’s career. Emotional intelligence is not a new concept but people are still struggling to apply it at work. Indeed, emotions can physiologically impact people in a strong and often uncontrollable way, short-circuiting our rational mind, but it doesn’t mean we want to get rid of emotions at work, of what makes us human, alive, what gives us drive for action, and enjoyment of life.

This workshop aims to reframe emotions in the context of work to enable women to better understand the mechanics and the purpose of emotions so that they can harness their energy rather than be dominated by them

Negotiating for women

Everyday life experiences are often filled with negotiations and conflict. They range from low stakes disputes about meeting schedules to high stakes clashes about hiring or strategic direction, and from casual debates to formal boardroom contractual agreements. Effective negotiators get the most out of disputes, not just in terms of the instrumental value they carry away, but also in terms of the relationships and reputations they leave behind. Virtually everyone could stand to improve their negotiation skills and especially women as research finds that women tend to shy away from the negotiating table.

In this workshop you will learn how complex human networks impact a manager’s decision-making. Furthermore, with the rise meteoric rise of virtual connections in social media we need to “rethink” what it means to be authentically connected in the world of work. This has ramifications for how we lead others, how we govern and how we find and nurture innovation. Through case studies and filling in your own network analysis you will be able to spot key indicators of network behaviour in your own field and organisation thus be more effective in managing and advancing your own career.

Navigating the Politcal Playing Field

Successful and politically astute leaders have been described as having mastery in developing strategic networks, being able to read and anticipate situations through careful observation, being able to control impulse and decide on appropriate behaviour before acting, and having the ability to leave a good impression . During the workshop participants will dialogue collectively and in smaller groups about the political landscape and how to effectively navigate the political environment to achieve ones personal professional goals and in furthering broader interests.

The expected learning outcomes are that participants will develop a greater appreciation of complexity of the institutional landscape and how the material covered through the programme, and the lessons learned, can help each participant and the evolving network—as current and prospective key stakeholders—succeed in climbing the corporate ladder.

*Please be aware that the programme involves evening session till approx. 21.00 hrs. To get the full experience of the programme your attendance is mandatory for all sessions. Please make arrangements beforehand so that you can attend the complete programme.Overnight stay on the course location premises during module 1 is highly recommended.